Justin Bieber apologizes for taking stage late, angering fans

Shortly after dubbing his 19th birthday the "worst birthday" ever, the pop star had to face the wrath of his young fans -- and their outraged, overtired parents -- on Tuesday after taking the stage almost two hours late for a concert in London.

Concertgoers said the teenage star appeared onstage at the 02 Arena on Monday at 10:30 p.m., when the start time had been listed as 8:30. Many in the audience, who had been waiting for hours, faced the choice between leaving early or missing the last trains home.

"There were teenage girls crying outside," said financial analyst Louise Cooper, who had taken her 9-year-old daughter to the gig as a birthday present.

"The ladies sitting with us had to leave after 20 minutes and they had spent 70 quid (70 pounds, about $106) each on a ticket, which is really bad.

"It's one thing if your demographic is 50-year-olds, but his demographic is lots of little girls who need to go home and go to bed."

Tracy Wilson, who attended the show with her teenage daughter, said people began booing when Bieber had not appeared by 9:30. She called the lack of explanation "disgusting."

Bieber tried to clear things up with a series of tweets: "since i have been here it hasnt been easy with the press at times but I have loved it. so let me say this...last night i was scheduled after 3 opening acts to go on stage at 935 not 830 but because of some technical issues i got on at 10:10..so...i was 40 min late to stage. there is no excuse for that and I apologize for anyone we upset."

He added: "However it was great show and Im proud of that. and tonight we will run on time and look forward to putting on an amazing show for everyone in attendance. my relationship with the media is not always easy but im trying. Im all about the music and the performance and i respect my fans. i never have any intent to upset or let anyone down. and Im not okay with things being exaggerated. once again sorry for anyone upset."

Bieber ended on a positive note: "now we have a show to do today and Im gonna focus on the positive and put on a great show tonight here in London."

The venue, meanwhile, apologized on its Twitter feed "to all the Justin Bieber fans for the lateness of his show tonight."

Critics said the Canadian star, who turned 19 on Friday, risked alienating fans by behaving with the same disregard for timekeeping as more hard-edged rock stars.

John Aizlewood in the Evening Standard newspaper said Bieber had shown contempt for young fans, leaving them "exhausted, disillusioned and probably late for school this morning."

Bieber, who is due to play three more nights at the venue Tuesday through Thursday, has been photographed out on the town several times during his current British tour.